by Geoff Fox
After many discussions by town officials over the last few years, the house at the entrance of Kirkwood Park will finally be demolished.
Town Manager Mike Faith told town officials the permits to demolish the house have been obtained and the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) has been notified of the demo plans.
One concern MDE had was if there was any asbestos in the house, but Faith said there had been an inspection in 2019 and that was ruled out.
RW Excavating was awarded the $19,400 contract for demolition work during the July town meeting. Faith said the company would start demolition around October 15 with an outlook on if there will be any more rain to help keep the dust down.
The only thing the town would be responsible for at the site would be disconnecting utilities., There is no city hook ups for water or wastewater, just a well and septic tank.
Councilman David Kerns said there is a procedure for abandoned septic tanks that the town has to has to check in about with the county’s Health Department.
The town is responsible for the septic tank because it is on town property.
“Whether that’s an addendum to what we do with Rick [Wills], that’s fine, but there is abandoned procedure or you dig it out and fill it,” Kerns said.
The well, on the other hand, can be left on the property.
Kerns said the town has to verify Potomac Edison did not leave their electrical drop in to the property.
If the drop is still there, Kerns said the electric company would have to disconnect it at the pole, but the drop should be removed.
Flock Cameras installed
If you’ve driven around Hancock recently, you may have noticed black poles with two cameras and a solar panel attached at various spots.
Those are the Flock Cameras the town approved purchasing back in June.
Four cameras have been installed with another four in the planning stages, Faith said. Those four, he added, could possibly be placed on a state highway or in proximity to one. Those would require permits and permission from the State Highway Administration.
The town doesn’t have access to the cameras yet as they aren’t live, The project is about halfway complete.
The cost to the town totaled $18,750 and be funded through the speed camera by the high school and elementary school.
Flock themselves own the cameras and should they become out of date or obsolete, it would be up to Flock to do the updating.
There is a six-month trial period and if the town is not satisfied, Flock can come and uninstall the cameras at no cost to the town.
LPR warranty almost up
Faith told town officials the warranty for the license plate readers on the police vehicles are about to expire in December.
One unit has had some issues and a new unit will be sent to the Hancock Police Department.
Police Chief Allan Thomas said it was the same unit that had issues during the initial installation.
“So now we’re having a problem again,” Thomas said. “This is on their end.”
The cost per year for all three vehicles is $5,160 for the warranty.
The processor in the reader alone costs $5,000 per unit, with cameras $4,500 a piece.
Faith said the warranty would cover the entire cost of the replacement.
“I make a motion we do it!” Kerns said when making the motion for the town to extend the warranties. It passed unanimously.
Town RFP for mowing, vehicle repair
Faith brought two requests for proposals that would ask for estimates for mowing and landscaping maintenance services, and one for vehicle repair and maintenance services.
The mowing and landscaping maintenance proposal will cover the town if they have to hire someone to take care of a person’s yard should they violate the grass ordinance.
The town then bills the resident/owner of the property for the service. The resident/owner then also pays a fine.
Faith said those responding to the proposals would have to have business license, proof of insurance, and workman’s comp.
There would also have to be an hourly rate included.
The RFP for the vehicles would cover the town’s fleet that includes Faith’s vehicle, the police vehicles, and Public Works’ vehicles.
